We discovered many different plant species during the walk.

We all enjoyed walking, chatting and listening to the birds sing while enjoying the beauty of the natural environment.

The walkathon came to an end about 4pm. The event was especially significant because all the teachers and students took part together.

Despite the fact that I was very tired at the end of the walk I was delighted to have had the chance to participate.

I treasured the experience and hope the new facilities will enrich the school lives of my fellow students.

Fung Pui-ying True Light Girls' College

The 32nd Speech Day of SKH Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School was held on November 25 at the school hall (pictured below). The ceremony was graced by the presence of guest speaker Dorothy Lau, JP, director of the HKSKH Welfare Council.

There were more than 400 guests, graduates and parents at the function. It commenced with the school orchestra's performance of the national anthem and the singing of the school hymn.

School supervisor Lee Chi-yuen encouraged students to look forward and never lose sight of their goals in life.

Principal Rhonda Leung delivered the principal's report on Thanksgiving Day. She thanked the school management committee, parents, alumni and staff for their care, commitment and contribution to the school.

With the tireless effort of teachers and students, the school has had another successful year of academic achievements.

In music, the Chinese orchestra won the Gold Prize in the 2003 Hong Kong Youth Music Interflows and was invited to perform in the evening showcase for the celebration of the HKSAR establishment day on July.

The mixed voice choir was elected the Most Outstanding NT Secondary Choir of the Year and the Best NT Mixed Voice Choir in the School Music Festival.

The school has produced its second music CD to celebrate the students' musical achievements and the school's upcoming 35th anniversary.

The ceremony ended with three performances: a Xinjiang folk song by the pipa ensemble, two songs by the mixed choir and The Sound of Music by the orchestra. The performances won warm applause from the audience and brought the occasion to an end.

Students of St Francis of Assisi's English Primary School put their knitting needles to use to create a warm Christmas for the patients at Tung Wah Hospital.

Students from Primary One to Six took part in the Knitting Campaign to create Christmas gifts for the patients. The event was jointly organised by the school and Tung Wah Hospital's Patient Resource Centre.

The kick-off ceremony was held on November 17. More than 300 students (200 male and 100 female) and 20 teachers took part in the event.

A significant feature of the event was the absence of gender stereotyping.

The boys were very enthusiastic and some of them even brought their own needles and wool; they lined up and waited for teachers or parents to show them how to knit (pictured above).

The Patient Resource Centre sent to the school a male 'knitting ambassador', Mr Lok, who had learnt to knit only a few weeks before the kick-off ceremony in order to help kick off the campaign and encourage the students.

Since most students were novices at knitting, they were required only to knit a square each. The many squares were turned over to a knitting expert to join up.

In this way, each scarf represents the love, warmth and collaboration of all those who took part.

On November 23 and 24, I took part in the 56th Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival - Solo Verse Speaking (Chinese and English). It was my first public speaking experience.

I was very nervous. I took a deep breath and walked to the platform. All eyes were focused on me. Fortunately, I managed to deliver the poems to the best of my ability.

All competitors were well-prepared and confident. They had good intonation and suitable body language. Although I only received a merit, not a prize, I will be back next year. It was a very good experience for me and I enjoyed it.

Heidi Shek Wing-ting, S. 1E The Chinese Foundation Secondary School